PG Pro Announces Hotelier of the Year [2017] Award Winner

Grand Prize Winner Chooses Charity: Water as Recipient of $10,000 Award

Hotelier Sumit Dalwadi was awarded P&G Professional's 2017 "Community Hotelier of the Year Award" presented in conjunction with the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA). Dalwadi was chosen as the winner after submitting an essay detailing his support of charity: water, which will receive a $10,000 award in Dalwadi’s name. Dalwadi was recognized on stage last night during the 2017 AAHOA Annual Convention and Trade Show awards presentation at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center.

The Community Hotelier of the Year Award recognizes an AAHOA member who demonstrates dedication and care for their community and expresses a desire to make a positive impact in the future with a $10,000 donation to their charity of choice. Dalwadi and his family-run business, Dalwadi Hospitality Management, have supported charity: water for more than five years through fundraising and promotions at their seven managed properties. Dalwadi’s latest project, Hotel Ylem, practices a business model that partners with guests to give back through proceeds from mini-bar, main bar, art gallery sales. Additionally, guests can book their rooms with a charity: water rate, which donates $10 per night to the organization. “By refocusing our for-profit business to support a nonprofit one, we are committed to changing the world through our hospitality business,” said Dalwadi.

Dalwadi is so committed to charity: water that he pledged to them the wedding gifts from his recent wedding, amounting to nearly $20,000. He and his wife, Mittali, reside in Houston, where he was born and raised. He said he was moved to get involved with charity: water after learning how women and children in developing countries often walk five miles a day to get water, which is often not clean, to bring back to their homes. “Children can’t attend school because they have to go get water and if a working father gets sick because the water isn’t clean, he can’t work and the entire family is impacted. It really causes a ripple effect,” he said.

Dalwadi’s parents, Jay and Kapila Dalwadi, and his three sisters, Manisha Dalwadi-Brahmbhatt, Amisha Dalwadi and Sheetal Dalwadi-Oza are also involved in Dalwadi Hospitality Management, which includes seven properties in Texas and Tennessee, and are all active in charity: water. While promotions vary from property to property, proceeds from sundry shops at all seven properties go to charity: water, and guests have the opportunity to donate and learn about the organization at all front desks.

"The dedication and care displayed by AAHOA members shows an extraordinary level of commitment to the communities they serve," said Paul Edmondson, North America Commercial Director, P&G Professional. "P&G Professional congratulates Sumit Dalwadi for his efforts with charity: water, and we commend all of the 2017 Community Hotelier of the Year award nominees for the valuable contributions to their communities."

P&G Professional is a proud sponsor of the Community Hotelier of the Year award and has supported the AAHOA awards for nine years.

"We're so grateful to the Dalwadi family and the team at Hotel Ylem for nominating charity: water for this generous award from P&G Professional. This gift will bring an entire community in Nepal clean water, which means families stay healthy, women can start businesses, and children can go to school instead of spending their days collecting water," said Lauren Letta, Chief Operating Officer for charity: water.

About charity: water

Charity: water is a nonprofit organization bringing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing countries. The organization uses 100% of public donations to fund sustainable water solutions in areas of greatest need and works with local partners on the ground to implement them. Since 2006, charity: water has funded nearly 23,000 water projects around the world to help 7 million people get access to clean water, hygiene and improved sanitation.